894A.00/9–649: Telegram
The Consul General at Taipei (Macdonald) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 6—9:02 a. m.]
447. K. C. Wu called yesterday and, following general conversation of no particular importance, asked me what I thought of rumors of American intervention in Taiwan. I told him that I was rather surprised that these rumors were so widespread and that so many people have been taking them seriously and even asking the Consulate for confirmation. I also said I thought it unfortunate that these rumors were circulating so widely. He agreed that they did not help the situation and said that he believed they could be traced to certain independence groups. Dr. Wu believes that Hsu Pin [-tien], also known as Ko Pien, is largely responsible for the rumors. He is the leader of the pro-Japanese groups and, according to Wu, has hopes of an important position under any occupation government. Some of these rumors go so far as to set the date of September 15 for American takeover.